The Power of Compassionate Vision
As I walked through the bustling streets of downtown, I was surrounded by the constant clamor of people and their needs. But I had a destination in mind – my favorite café, just two blocks away. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the promise of a satisfying meal beckoned me to leave my office duties behind, if only for an hour.
A World of Need
But between my office and the café, I had to pass through the city park. Its tranquil atmosphere and lush greenery seemed inviting, but I knew better. The park was often overrun with high school students, some with tattooed arms and spiked hair, lounging on the grass. Behind the trees, shady dealings went on, hidden from prying eyes. It was easy to avoid the park and its inhabitants, keeping my gaze fixed on the sidewalk ahead or the coffee shop beckoning me forward. But no amount of avoidance could erase the harsh reality of the world around me.
The Weight of the World’s Needs
Even those of us with a strong sense of social responsibility can grow weary of the constant barrage of needs and appeals. We flip through magazine pages, averting our gaze from the sad faces of those in need. We toss appeal envelopes into the recycling bin, unread. But Jesus saw the world differently. Over sixty times in the New Testament, we read of Jesus’ compassionate vision, a seeing that went beyond physical sight to a deep understanding of the human condition.
A Prescription for Compassion
Just as our physical eyes need regular checkups to ensure clear vision, our spiritual vision requires regular tuning to see the world as Jesus saw it. Perhaps we need to ask God to clean the lenses of our hearts, to enable us to perceive the world with compassion and understanding. Only then can we act as Jesus did, with kindness and mercy towards those around us.
Seeing with the Eyes of Christ
As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to see the world through His eyes. It’s time to lift our gaze from our own desires and focus on the needs of those around us. By doing so, we can become instruments of compassion and change, bringing hope and light to a world in desperate need.
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